Research Interests:

The vertebrate retina is an accessible part of the central nervous system;
an understanding of neuronal interactions occurring within the retina
may provide clues concerning neural mechanisms throughout the brain. Over
the years, our group has been concerned with the cells of the retina,
their structure, function and synaptic interactions.

Our current interests are focused in two directions; both employ the
zebrafish as a model system. First, we have developed behavioral tests
to isolate visual system specific mutations from chemically-mutagenized
zebrafish. Both recessive and dominant mutations that affect the retina
have been isolated and are currently being analyzed histologically, electrophysiologically
and biochemically. Ongoing screening is continually revealing new behavioral
and morphological mutants. A second interest is the molecular basis of
retinal development. In particular, the effects of retinoic acid on candidate
genes involved in early eye and photoreceptor development are being explored
as well as detailed examination of early retinal development in zebrafish.